FAQ

  • Can my spouse go as a guardian?
    • No. The only spouses who are permitted to go are those who are Veterans themselves.This is of great importance to us at Central PA Honor Flight, as the legacy of these heroes needs to be carried on by our younger generations. Whether the guardians are the children or grandchildren of the Veteran, or a younger member of our community that has volunteered to serve as a guardian for a Vet they do not know, we need them to carry our Veterans’ stories and experiences to their peers and their children.  In addition, one of the benefits of an Honor Flight day for our Veterans is the opportunity to reconnect with their Veteran brothers and sisters and share stories and experiences.
  • Can my son, daughter, grandson, etc. go as a guardian?
    • We encourage our Veterans to select a family member or friend to escort them around Washington, D.C., however that person must meet all guardian requirements (full list of guardian requirements can be found here). Each guardian will be required to attend a training, and at that time, the CPAHF Flight Team will have discretion to determine whether (or not) they are fit to serve as a guardian.
  • I am the widow of a Veteran. Can I go?
    • You are welcome to go as a Volunteer as a guardian but sadly, the program is designed for veterans only.  We simply do not have the resources, funding, or seating available to transport all the Veterans who are presently on our waiting list. Adding spouses and widows simply isn’t an option for our program at this time.
  • How much does it cost? How much money do I need to bring?
    • The flight is FREE for our Veterans. Guardians pay $150 for the trip. Veterans and guardians do not need to bring any other money unless they wish to purchase souvenirs.
    • CPAHF uses a 1:1 Veteran to guardian ratio. We do this to for the safety and accountability of our Veterans. The most important reason is to ensure each Veteran can enjoy their “Trip of a Lifetime” to its fullest. Each Veteran has the opportunity to select a guardian (full list of requirements can be found here) to travel with them to D.C. If the Veteran does not select a guardian, one will be assigned to them. Each Veteran will be escorted by a guardian for the day, regardless of health status.
  • How do you decide which veterans get to go?
    • Veterans are flown on a first-come, first-served basis. We prioritize our waitlist first by terminally-ill Veterans; then by conflict (World War II, then Korea, then Vietnam); and finally, by the date the Veteran’s application was received.
  • Which hub should I send my application to?
    • YES! Such Veterans go to the top of the list for the next flight as part of our “Their Last Chance” (TLC) Program. If you feel like your Veteran may qualify for this program, please contact us at 608-616-0243 and a member of our volunteer medical team will be in touch.
    • Absolutely please see the page about donations here: Donations